Affiliate of the Week: New Mexico Wildlife Federation

In honor of our 80th Anniversary celebration throughout 2016, the National Wildlife Federation is recognizing each of our Affiliate Partners in a special “Affiliate of the Week” blog series that showcases the dedicated conservation efforts taking place across the country each day. This week we celebrate our affiliate, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, and their commitment to wildlife.

Who We Are

For over a century the New Mexico Wildlife Federation has been working for wildlife on behalf of sportsmen and women across New Mexico. Since 1914, they’ve advocated for sound wildlife management, access to public lands, protection of our waters, and provided opportunities to pursue the outdoor traditions that helped make America what it is today. By engaging youth and their families in outdoor activities, the Federation is cultivating the next generation of conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts.

Fishing in a state park. Photo by Susan Torres/ NMWF

What We Do

NMWF provides a number of opportunities to get youth, families, hunters, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts out on their public lands. By engaging people from all walks of life across the state, NMWF is able to educate New Mexicans about the importance of protecting our waterways and wildlife, and keeping access to public lands open to all Americans.

NMWF was an integral part of getting Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks and Rio Grande del Norte designated as National Monuments, and they continue to work on protecting additional areas throughout the state. They have also worked to reintroduce Rio Grande cutthroat trout into local waterways and have stood in support of protecting the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse, which is an important species in riparian areas.

Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Photo by Garrett/ NMWF

Whether hosting a rafting trip in national forests, coordinating sportsmen and women’s meetings, or educating the public about conservation issues, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation keeps our natural resources and ample opportunities they provide for wildlife communities at the forefront of people’s minds.

The New Mexico Wildlife Federation is working to further its reach to increase the number of people involved in outdoor activities and conservation across the state. NMWF recently held a Latino Conservation Summit in conjunction with Latino Conservation Week, where leaders in conservation from across the state discussed the issues that matter in these communities. The panelists discussed land use, water, and how to engage younger generations in conservation and outdoor activities.

Youth can find petroglyphs in the area. Photo by Susan Torres/ NMWF

NMWF has also partnered with other nonprofits that work with at-risk youth to organize trips for youth from across the state to experience their public lands and learn more about the importance of healthy waterways. These outings have been hugely successful in engaging youth from challenging backgrounds, connecting them with nature to help them become the next generation of conservation stewards.

Making a National Impact

At a time when the public lands seizure movement had reached the national stage, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation traveled outside of New Mexico to Oregon bring awareness to this critical issue. NMWF is proud of the work they have done to make this public lands movement front and center for many organizations and communities, including speaking out against the seizure of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in January.

NMWF’s public lands rally. Photo by NMWF

The New Mexico Wildlife Federation took a stand against extremists who wanted to deny Americans access to their public lands and made more people aware about the ongoing threat to our national lands. NMWF continues to work with a wide variety of nonprofits around the state to protect our public lands and encourage citizens to contact their elected officials in support of keeping public lands accessible to everyone. By educating the public about the public lands seizure movement, NMWF is making sure elected officials are held accountable to their constituents. They are also working to protect land in the Pecos Wilderness, Otera Mesa, and additional areas in Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks.